Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss Varnish

Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss varnish works especially well on Teak wood. No sanding between coats is required. This is the perfect alternative to traditional varnish as it eliminates all that sanding and repetitive care.

Phenolic based resins, tung oil, and UV inhibitors build quickly for a high gloss finish with long lasting beauty on teak and other fine hard woods. Formulated for extraordinary protection, even in tropical climates, Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss is also recommended as a sealer and filler for wood.

Temperatures should be between 50 degrees F and 85 degrees F for application, with air humidity below 85 percent. Avoid varnishing in too much sun or wind, a rapid loss of solvents will occur under these conditions and will decrease the flowing ability. Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss is compatible with most other types of one-component alkyd or urethane based varnishes and over two-component varnishes.

2014-12-09ANNIE PAYTON asked:How many square feet or square inches will one can of this varnish cover?

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2014-12-09Rick White:A 1000ml can of Epifanes WF will do about 80 sq ft per coat.

2014-10-19BRUCE ZENONE asked:Can this work on high quality maple surfaces?

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2014-10-19BENJAMIN BUEHLER:I used it on my high quality mahogany interior on my 1967 Cal. I thinned it out and sprayed on 5 coats. By sanding a little in between I made the entire interior of my boat shine like glass. It's a large area and that's why I sprayed. The bulkheads are all solid mahogany too. This was an awesome product and I very much recommend it.

2014-10-19RALPH KIMBALL:Always used it on Teak but no reason why it wouldn't be just as good on Maple. Love the no sand feature.

2014-10-19WAYNE BEARDSLEY:It's an excellent varnish so I don't see why not. It is important to thin the first few coats so that the varnish sinks into the wood and gets a good grip.

2014-10-20CHARLES RAMEY:Yes, I have used this product to finish burl walnut dash wood in a Jaguar with great results.

2014-10-21Bruce Zenone:Thanks, Charles.

2014-10-14CARL ENFIELD asked:I am having an infestation of carpenter bees on the underside of pine roof decking. Will Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss Varnish provide a sufficiently hard surface to stop the boring of the bees into the wood? If so, how many coats are required?

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2014-10-14LLOYD CLARKE:No. I have had same bees. And solution is poison in holes. Google it.

2014-10-14ALLEN COBB:Not sure about this material working to stop carpenter bees.

2014-10-15darwin aurand:Carpenter bees will not penetrate newly applied Gloss Epifanes, however, it has been my experience that the soft pine will become more vulnerable to penetration after two to three years unless fresh coats are applied annually.
In doing restoration on pine and cedar carvings with carpenter bee penetration, it is not unusual to have their chambers drilled four to six inches into the core of the wood. Carpenter bees do us a great benefit pollinating trees and plants in a world with shrinking bee populations, but people must understand their damaging capabilities.

2014-10-19RALPH KIMBALL:I doubt it. They go through paint with no issue so I don't see why varnish would stop them.

2014-09-10A shopper asked:Is it a good idea to put a coat of Epifanes Clear gloss Varnish over the Woodfinish Gloss?

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2014-09-10JAMES MCKINNELL:I do multiple coats of wood finish gloss followed clear gloss to give UV protection. I have been using this system for years with very good results

2014-09-10DAVID RICCIARDI:I've done it for a couple of seasons and it looks great, adding to the "wet look." Whether or not it improves durability more than another coat of WFG, I have no idea.

2014-09-10ANNE SAVINO:We used it on wood table tops for our restaurant. It's maintained the surface for 3 seaaeon's use.

2014-09-10WAYNE BEARDSLEY:I think the Clear Gloss has slightly better appearance but in my opinion the WFG looks just fine by itself as long as you have enough coats (preferably 10 or so).

2014-09-08HOWARD DAMBROSE asked:What is the best way to remove it if it didn't completely adhere or harden, and now has"bubbles" where it has been pushed?

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2014-09-08AUSTIN CLARK:Let it fully dry, then sand off completely and start over. Make sure the wood is fully clean before reapplying. It sounds like you had adhesion problems. It may take a while to dry....

2014-09-09DANIEL WROBLESKI:environment wrong too hot too wet
surface may noy have been preped with sanding
Sand to bear wood and try again

2014-09-10WAYNE BEARDSLEY:Best way to remove old varnish is with a heat gun and a scraper. Removal by sanding is painfully slow. There is an excellent book which describes all of this and more:
"Brightwork: The Art of Finishing Wood"

2014-08-08JIM KENYI asked:can it be put over acrylic paint on exterior like a birdhouse to protect paint surface.?

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2014-08-08RALPH MCBRAYER:Waste of money.

2014-08-08DAVID LIND:Varnish is not normally used to protect paint. A good quality paint will last longer than varnish. You would be much better off painting the birdhouse with good quality polyurethane paint like Interlux Brightsides (single part) or Interlux Perfection (two part poly, the best). Pettit and yes Epifanes also make excellent poly paints.

2014-08-13PATRICK MCNAMARA:The epifanes varnish is quite elastic and thus softer than indoor varnishes to permit wood movement with humidity/temperature, and has top rate UV protection.. It should help protect just about any other finish outside from weather, but it is not real hard.

2014-04-17ROBERT REESE asked:This product label in the picture doesn't look quite the same as my can. My can says " Especially for teak...Epifanes and in white "woodfinish gloss (high gloss, U.V. protection fast build, easy build".
Is this the same product?

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2014-04-17JONATHAN RAAB:Yes, it's especially good on teak--but I've used it on a variety of other woods, always with great results. The beauty of this varnish is that you don't have to sand between coats if applied within 1-3 days from prior application.

2014-04-07KIOWA SIBLEY-CUTFORTH asked:Do I need to apply a coat of CPES before applying the Epifanes Varnish? Or is it the other way around? Thanks!

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2014-04-07KEN LORING:I used thinned varnish first and second coats per the directions. IT looks great and it has held up outside for two seasons.

2014-04-07Kiowa Sibley-Cutforth:Thanks so much for your response! Do you know about how many ml cans are necessary per square foot of coverage?

2014-04-07KEN LORING:No,
It depends on the wood and the amount of sanding required to get a second and third coat. The first coat raises the grain, if you want a smooth finished product you sand down most of the first coat. 3M sanding blocks are my choice for this work

2014-04-07DANIEL WROBLESKI:DO NOT KNOW WHAT CPES IS?
Bare would should be prepared with a sealer or increasing strenghs of epifanes varnish. Wood finish can be used over varnish, between coats
of varnish or alone. Advantage is that there is no sanding between coats if less than 24 hours

2014-04-08RONALD ROHRBACH:I am using the Epifanes on mahogany railings on my ocean front beach home. I just apply layer after layer as is, works wonderfully. If you are doing something fine on a boat, I would ask someone else.

2014-04-08GERALD WADLEY:No, you do not need to use CPES. Just dilute the Epiphanes varnish by 50% for the first coat. This will allow penetration and provide the necessary sealing.

2014-02-21FRED SHERRIFF asked:Is this the best base for an 8 coat exterior marine finish and if so how many coats can you apply without sanding?

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2014-02-21RONALD ROHRBACH:I use the version that requires no sanding. But, I am using this for a mahogany railing about 200 feet worth on my oceanfront home. It produces a great result.

2014-02-21ROBERT MEIMBRESSE:Not sure what you are referring to (base coat). If you mean sealer, two coats thinned 15% then full strength. I did 14 coats . Sanding every 3 with 320 grit. Any finer will not give something for the varnish to hold to. In between coats should be done within 24 hours or you will have to sand in between coats.
If you stain or I'll sealer should be something with a different base ie lacquer,I used cpes then varnished. I rolled on with foam roller and tipped with good quality 2" foam brush. Key is good quality. I think Jamestown has 2 types.

2014-02-21TIMOTHY DOW:Hi Fred,
We do a ton of bright work in our shop and I have to say that in the last couple years we have been using Awlspar varnish instead with tremendous success. We usually coat twice between sandings and have seen great UV resistance. My experience with Epifanes was good, but again I find Awlspar superior
Tim Dow
NorEaster Marine Services
Chatham,MA

2014-02-21KEN LORING:I used it on a 1948 Chrysler Town and Country restoration. The directions say to thin the first and second coats and sand lightly between each coat. Follow the directions and you will be very happy with the results.
I also used it on teak outdoor furniture with good results.

2013-09-20KEVIN REED asked:I have used your clear varnish for several years on an outdoor railing made of ipe wood. Can I switch to this wood finish gloss varnsh on it without sanding between coats ? Or should I continue with the clear varnish ? Thanks

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2013-09-20GREG HOPKINS:The clear varnish has more UV filters than wood finish gloss. Outdoor environment is tougher on UV. I'd stick to the epiphane clear even though its a little more work to sand between coats.

2013-10-13PATRICK MCNAMARA:I am unsure of the answer, however I always sand between coats if they have completely dried. Epiphanes says their clear varnish has the most UV protection, and wood finish is warmer in color I believe.

I started varnishing a 23' Pearson Ensign and a Chesapeak Lightcraft kayak with Interlux brand varnishes. I was very discouraged by the brush strokes remaining in the dryed finish and the dull/dry spots left due to the wet edge being very quick setting. I switched to Bristol Finish two part system and was thoroughly disgusted by gummy material applied. It couldn't be sanded and would not apply evenly. I then switched to Epifanes. I sanded all of above down, applied 3 coats of Wood Gloss finish followed by 1 coat of Gloss Varnish. -Every- coat went on smooth and easy with results looking better at each coat. Light sanding before applying the last coat of varnish. Done deal.I will no longer use any other product line except Epifanes.

I used Epifanes paint and varnish on my nearly complete sailboat,COQUINA, that I've built over the last several years ....I decided to use the best finishes available after spending years working on my boat!

Can there exist a more satisfying finish than well-varnished teak? I think not! This alternative to tradtional varnishes (which require sanding between each coat, unlike this product which does not) puts on a beautiful glossy finish and is pretty straightforward in use. Sand before initial coat and thin to specifications with their thinner but BE CERTAIN to heed their instructions regarding the maximum 72 hour window for recoating or you'll end up with a milky coat that must be sanded down and you'll lose the time you saved. With that caveat aside the product seems terrific.

I bought this primarily because of the no sanding between coats. This was of interest to me because I needed something to put on Adirondack chairs that were obviously going to be outside. I had previously used the clear high gloss varnish but the sanding between coats was a real chore because of all the slats that go to make up a chair. The wood finish went on very and looked good after only 3 coats although I put on 5 coats for extra protection. Interesting enough was the fact that the directions on the can said that for maximum protection topcoat with several coats of the clear high gloss varnish.

Great product for build coats. Too thick from can, must add thinner. If applying in the tropics use 333 as the thinner and it won't dry too quickly, leaves a very smooth finish when applied with a quality badger bristle brush. I usually seal the teak first with a few coats of Smith's CPES, then use this for the build coats so I don't need to sand between layers, then do two top coats of Epifanes Clear, sanding between. You get a mirror finish when done.

Selected this based on a Practical Sailor review. Was not disappointed. Preparation is key, mixing with thinner in reasonable ratios (not necessarily exact) works really well. Used on trim and large flat areas. With just 4 coats or more, looked great all season, even through blazing sunshine. Changed the way my boat looks.

I apply thinned preliminary coats as advised on the can, wet sanding between coats using 320 grit with mineral spirits lubricant. Sometimes the finish is slow to dry on the edge of ebony fingerboards and painting a little Japan dryer on the wood or first coat of finish there with a Q-tip solves this problem. If the final coat is thinned, it is easier to rub out. Incredibly durable and the instruments sound great.

I use this product on numerous tropical hardwoods, usually after having applied tung oil (and let dry completely) and it gives an excellent finish. Gives a depth and warmth to the wood with excellent clarity and a nice feel to the touch. Quite thick requiring dilution, which means that there is a lot of solids unlike the domestic products, and a good deal of coverage.

I have been using this product ever since I bought my boat. I use on all the exterior teak on my boat and follow up 6 or 8 coats with a finish coat of Epifanes clear varnish. This gives a beautiful gloss finish. I start with a first coat thinned with 10 to 20% penetrol and thinner.